I have never been too keen of the celebration of St. Valentine's day. In elementary school it meant that you had to get those cheesy little valentine cards and give one to every single person in your class. I hated this chore. Sometimes there would also be a valentine party complete with heart shaped cookies, red and pink cupcakes, and fruit punch.Sure the sweets were nice but there always seemed to be the one kid who couldn't enjoy these snacks. To that child with diabetes, this little party must have been torture.

   As I became older, the school parties stopped. But if you had a significant other, you were required to buy a gift for that person. I say "required" because Valentine's day was considered a day of romance and love. Most likely your significant other would buy something for you and if you didn't do the same then, in a way, you were saying that you didn't care about that person as much as they cared about you. Not giving a gift on Valentine's day could end an other wise healthy relationship.

   Even after I was old enough to have mature, adult relationships, Valentine's day has always haunted me. Two years ago I was involved in one of those healthy, mature, adult relationships. I dreaded February 14th as it began to come around. I knew my boyfriend would be bringing gifts for that day. It would be his romantic gesture to show that he cared for me even though I knew that he cared for me and I didn't need the romantic gesture.

   As required, I bought him a gift. It wasn't really a romantic gift but I knew it was something that he would really like. He bought me the traditional offering of roses, a stuffed teddy bear, and the heart-shaped box of candy. I loved the flowers and even the stuffed bear. The candy was not as appreciated. You see, in my adulthood, I have become that child from elementary school that couldn't eat the cupcakes and cookies because of diabetes. So I am left with a big box of chocolates that I cannot eat because it will send my glucose levels though the roof.

   Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the jester but buying candy for a diabetic is just cruel. THat doesn't show me how much you love. That tells me that maybe you are trying to kill me. Anyway, the flowers wilted away and my kids enjoyed the chocolates. A few months later, the relationship ended because I found out that I wasn't the only woman that he was "loving."

   Valentine's day is tomorrow and this year I am single. I hate all of the couples around me feeling sorry for me because I am going to be alone on the most romantic day of the year. Of course I will buy stuffed animals and candy for my kids but I will not be celebrating Valentine's day tomorrow. However, on Monday, I will gladly celebrate "Singles Awareness Day."

   What is "Singles Awareness Day?"
 In response to the huge push by retailers for us to buy all of their candy, flowers and greeting cards February 15 has been declared Singles Awareness Day! This is the day that all of the single people can proudly stand up and show that it is OKAY to be single!

Sure, some people would prefer to have their February celebration on February 14, but the rest of us appreciate the break from the commercialism.

The goal of Singles Awareness Day is to let singles have celebrations, get-togethers, etc. and to exchange gifts with their single friends. The awareness day was established by single people who were just sick of feeling left out on Valentine's Day, and support of the day is growing every year.

Suggested activities for this day are sending yourself flowers, planning parties for other singles to mix and meet and to participate in some sort of single's event. This is especially recommended if you don't WANT to be single. Of course, for those who kind of like being single it's a blessing and a reason to have some fun!

Originally, most singles referred to February 14 as Single's Awareness Day (acronym: SAD) until it just became too depressing! Choosing the next day allowed single people a chance to turn this into a celebration rather than a festival of self-pity or whatever they were doing before. It seems like a refreshing change of pace to know that you can survive Valentine's Day and move on to YOUR day, doesn't it?

And if you are happy to be single, then February 15 is your day to tell the world. The dates approaching quickly, so it might be time to start planning your party right now.

   I doubt I will be throwing any parties or anything like that, but I fully intend on sending myself some flowers and maybe even buying myself a nice piece of jewelery. I will enjoy my day and know that it is not a mortal sin to be alone on Valentine's day.

   To all of my single friends, family, and acquaintances: Happy Singles Awareness day. Go out and enjoy your day!

   For the past 2 years (or more) I have been saying that I am recovering from bulimia. That isn't exactly true. My body was in recovery but my mind was still obsessed with every calorie and gram of fat. I was still weighing myself dozens of times a day and if the number went up or stayed the same then it was time to exercise until my body collapsed from exhaustion.

   Now, for the first time in a long time, I am happy. This strange new emotion of happiness takes my breath away at times. It has been so long since I have truly felt happy. Now I actually feel like I am really recovery from this monkey on my back called bulimia. It has only been about a week since my last binge and purge but I have found that I have the ability to eat a normal meal and not freak out. I still have a lot of weight to lose (doctor's opinion, not mine) but I now know that it is possible to lose the weight in a safe and healthy way.

   I am eating 3 normal sized meals a day but I am making healthy food choices and taking my exercise the way that my doctor recommended 20-30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week. There are even days that I don't even count the calories or fat. I have found that sitting down and having a meal with my children can be an enjoyable experience. I have fount that there is no need to weigh myself over and over, it is just a waste of time and completely pointless. Now I only weigh myself once a week. I am losing 1-2 pounds a week, which is a healthy amount to lose.

   I want to lose the extra weight so that I will be healthy. That is the goal...healthy. My old goal was to lose at least 5 pounds a week so I could become thin. I really don't care about thin anymore, my only concern is healthy. After all I do want to live long enough to see my children have children of their own.

   I feel that this time I am really turning my life around. I even did something that I have been wanting to do for a very long time. I am a student again. I have enrolled into a freelance writing course. I like to write even though I'm not a great writer, but that is the whole point of the course...to make me a better writer. I am really looking forward to it. I haven't been this excited about starting something new in a very long time. And I thank God everyday for everything He has given me. 

   RECOVERY IS A WONDERFUL THING!

I received this email and I just had to share it.